Have Faith

By: Joyce Padua

Its not if we believe in God, its which God we believe in.
The heat was unbearable, the dark even more so. In a car on an empty highway, three girls sat
laughing about their summer together. They drove swiftly without any cars around, a large rock face
speeding past them. They thought about the fun they had and the sadness that would come when the
summer was over.
I cant believe that summers ending! Kinsman said with a sad tone in her voice. Andrea, who
sat next to her, reached over and hugged her shoulder. Yeah, next thing you know youll be back home in
the UK and Ill be back in Mississippi. she added. Sam looked at the two from her rear view mirror.
Dont get all sentimental on me, you guys!, she said laughing, Weve got one more week before
Kinsman has to get back to England. Lets make it amazing!
Each of the girls had different views on life and completely different personalities. Sam Coffman
grew up in Baltimore, Maryland in a broken home. She grew up questioning everything everyone had ever
told her. Her escape from her mixed up life was music. Sam would climb onto her bed whenever her
parents fought and lost herself in the heavy guitar and equally heavy vocals of Nirvana.
Her complete opposite was Andrea Drake. Andrea lived in Olive Branch, Mississippi. She had
younger sister and grew up in a strict Southern Baptist family. She, unlike Sam, was warm and trusting,
with a smile that could warm the coldest heart.
Last but not least was Amy Kinsman. Amy was born in Stalybridge, United Kingdom. Her family
was upperclass and happy. She could afford all the best things. To people who didnt know her, she may
have come off as an obnoxious or vain girl who never used her first name. To people who knew her, she
was eccentric and cultured.
Sam listened to the girls talking in the back seat. Where are we going next? asked Kinsman, her
accent making her words sound very posh. Who knows, who cares. replied Sam. It was true. The girls
had left Sams hometown the night after Kinsman had got there. They hadnt wanted to stay in one place
for too long.
So, where are we headed anyw-. Kinsman never finished her sentence. Sam saw something
walkout in front of the car and reacted by turning the wheel. The car swerved to the side of the highway
and Sam slammed the breaks, but nothing could save them. The two girls in the backseat werent wearing
seatbelts and as they slammed into the rock face, they were propelled forward. Sams screams were never
heard
Where are we?
Who knows
Sam slowly opened her eyes. All she could see was light, a bright almost blinding light. Slowly, her
eyes adjusted to the glow and she could see Andrea and Kinsman on what looked to be a park bench. In
fact, the three seemed to be in the middle of a big park. It was large, with trees higher than buildings, and
a clear blue sky above. Sam could hear rushing water and birds singing. The place calmed her.
So, do you guys know what were doing here? Or where here actually is? asked Sam, after she
had gotten off the ground and walked to Kinsman and Andrea. The two girls looked at her. Nope. All I
know is we swerved, I flew forward. It hurt and now were here. replied Kinsman. Yeah, what was that
swerving about, huh? asked Andrea. Sam tried to think back, but her memory was a little fuzzy. I think I
was trying to avoid something. A deer or a moose or maybe a dog. she finally replied.
No one said anything for a little while because everyone seemed to be admiring their
surroundings. So howd we get here? I meandid you guys bring me here or something? Sam asked.
Kinsman shook her head. I woke up first. You and Andrea were here when I woke up. As for how we got
here, I have no clue. She and Andrea had puzzled looks on their faces.
I think weve all been drugged and were all hallucinating or something. Sam said. Thats highly
unlikely. Kinsman replied, We havent taken food from strangers or done anything too stupid in the past
few days. Thats true Andrea trailed off and looked around for a moment. What is it? Kinsman
asked. After a long silence, Andrea answered. I know where we are. she said. And that would be?
said Sam, motioning for Andrea to continue. Heaven. she said, in a matter-of-fact voice.
Sam couldnt believe what she was hearing, nor could Kinsman. What are you talking
about, Andrea? said Sam in disbelief. Kinsman just stared. I think you hit your head a little too hard
when we swerved. Sam continued. Andrea nodded at her and spoke. I did! We all did! Dont you get it?
We hit our heads just a little too hard and now were dead and in heaven; its the only explanation.
Sam was never a very religious person and she continued to shake off Andreas claims. I never
really thought that heaven would look like a park. she said in a sarcastic tone. Andrea looked at her
strangely. Is that what you see? she asked. Sam nodded slowly. Why? Do you see something different?
Andrea stood up and began to walk around. I see clouds. Theyre all different sizes and theyre
forming different shapes. she reached out an arm and felt what Sam thought was just air. Theyre soft to
the touch. Were standing on one too. Its just how I always pictured heaven would be like.
Sam looked around and saw no trace of clouds. She couldnt understand what was going on. Did
this mean they really were in heaven? Could Andrea see something she couldnt? Sam had always been an
atheist; she pushed the idea of God and religion out of her mind.
Do you hear that? Kinsman suddenly asked, her voice piercing through silence. Sam listened
intently, but couldnt hear anything. Lets go see what it is. said Andrea.
Sam was worried and confused. Andrea could hear the music too, which meant that Sam was
missing out on something. Did being an atheist in life leave her out of experiencing heaven? She
wondered about Kinsman. Neither Andrea nor she ever asked Kinsman what religion she practiced.
Maybe she was a devout Catholic and thats why she could hear the music.
Sam, Kinsman, and Andrea walked down wooded path. The girls stopped when the music became
so loud to Kinsman and Andrea that it sounded like they were standing near large speaker. From what
Sam could see, they were in a large field. The green of grass was interrupted by spots of colours; flowers
grew everywhere. Sam looked up and saw that the sky was the clearest colour of blue she had ever seen.
Hey Sam, do you see that guy? asked Andrea, bringing Sam out of her thoughts. She was
pointing off to her left. Sam and Kinsman turned their heads to look in that direction. Upon seeing the
man Andrea was talking about, Sam was y sure that Andrea was right; they were in heaven.
Before them, about fifty metres away stood Kurt Cobain, the deceased lead singer of Nirvana. The
girls walked closer to him. Who do you see? Kinsman asked. Jesus. whispered Andrea in awe. Kurt
Cobain. Sam said with the same awestruck voice. The girls shared a confused look and continued
walking towards the man. Finally, when they were about five metres away, he noticed them coming.
Hello girls. he said smiling. None of them spoke. Im guessing youre wondering why youre
here. He continued. Just a little. squeaked Kinsman who sounded absolutely terrified. Sam wondered
who she was seeing. Well, Kurt said laughing, its quite a story, but bear with me.
Id tell you the Creation Story and all, but I think you three know that stuff and its not so
relevant to you guys anyways; so Ill just tell you the facts. Sammy here, Kurt pointed at Sam, swerved
the car from hitting a poor deer. I told you guys it was a deer! said Sam, interrupting. Yes. Your car hit
a rock face and you all died. Now youre here in your heaven speaking to me, in whatever form I am.
Andrea looked at him strangely. Does everyone see you differently when they die? she asked. He
nodded his head. People love to say that theyre Catholic or Muslim or Athiest or whatever. They worship
something, even the Athiests. He turned to face Sam. You see me as Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of your
favourite band because you worship music, not religion. You are a proclaimed Athiest and yet you still
believe in something. So then I see you as Jesus Christ because I worship the Lord. Andrea said,
studying the man in front of her. Yes, but you see a different version of me than, lets say, a Catholic girl
who lives in Africa. No ones version of God is the same. They are all unique because the person is
unique.
And what about me? asked Kinsman. Sam looked at her and realized she hadnt spoken very
much since they had died. In fact, neither she nor Andrea had asked her what her perception of heaven or
God was like. God studied Kinsman carefully. Youre one of the rare ones we get. He said smiling. You
dont see just one thing do you? You see many things. Many people. Kinsman nodded. Its because you
live, or should I say lived, accepting and knowing all religions. You have no affinity to one.
Sam watched as the gears in Kinsman brain seemed to turn. Youre right. she said, Mum and
dad always told me about the religions of all the other countries theyd visited on their vacations. I always
liked different religions, they were all so interesting. I never practiced just one. That why you keep
changing forms when I look at you, isnt it? Right now you look like Paul McCartney but youre starting to
morph into Buddha. Everyone had a good laugh about that.
God continued to speak: See its not if we believe in God, its which God we believe in.
Sam, you thought you were an atheist and yet upon arriving here you see me in the form of Kurt
Cobain. Everyone worships something; its in our human nature. If one says that he does not worship
God, he worships money or another possession. God said, explaining everything to the girls. I am
everywhere and everything. Atheists say that they do not believe in God, but they can believe in a material
thing; a material thing I helped come to be. I have put my love into everything so that though people may
not believe in me, they still receive me, just in a different form. Kinsman, you dont worship one particular
thing or religion so you see me in every form; in every way I have ever loved a human being. Finally
Andrea, who has grown up with the church, sees me in my most universally known form; she sees me as
Jesus Christ.
The girls were beginning to understand what God was saying. Hey, Kurt or God or
whateverwhy is it that I couldnt hear the music? Sam suddenly asked. It had been bothering her. God
waved his hand. Slowly, the music began to seep into every pore of her being. It felt like the music was
engulfing her soul. Do you hear it now? He asked. Sam nodded, music coursing through her very being.
You believe in me now, then. Sam laughed. Its kind of hard NOT to, considering youre sitting in front
of me, coursing music through my veins. Everyone laughed. I suppose so. Said God.
Everyone was silent for a moment; taking in the music and their surroundings, no matter what
they were to each girl, when loud bells began to ring. Sam vaguely thought they sounded like the bells of a
church. You all heard that I suppose? asked God. The girls all nodded. It means its time for you to go.
He said looking back and forth between them. Follow the path and you will find your way. Our way to
where? asked Andrea. Eternal peace. He replied. The three nodded and waved goodbye to Him, in
whatever form they saw.
Before they left a better place, Kinsman spun around and called out: God, do you do this for
everyone who dies? God or Kurt or Jesus or whatever other forms He took, called back: Only if they
receive me!